This story in Thursday’s paper explains that Texans are living longer with HIV, but the burden of the disease continues to fall among blacks and men who have sex with men.

The 2010 annual report on HIV from the Texas Department of State Health Services reveals fewer AIDS deaths statewide but points to trouble ahead with an increasing rate and number of infected young adults 15 to 24.

Overall, the number of HIV-positive Texans has increased by 36 percent since 2004 – from 47,986 to 65,077. About a third of those with the virus live in the greater Houston area.

“This is the result of people living longer with the disease. That, in turn, is a challenge for prevention because there’s the potential for more transmission if more people have it,” said Jeff Hitt, the state health department’s manager for HIV/STD prevention. …

Of the 4,242 Texans diagnosed last year, 42 percent were black, 31 percent were Hispanic and 25 percent were Anglo. More than half of Texans living with the virus received HIV through male-to-male sexual contact.